Combined lunch kit and vanity case



Nov. 8, 1949 R. E. CALLAGHAN Filed May 11, 1949 o 2v Y o w 2 2 w I.///%\\ /4 Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to special receptacles and, more particularly, to a receptacle includ-- ing a lunch kit and a vanity compartment, the entire receptacle being arranged to. simulate a ladys handbag.

It is an object of the invention to provide. a receptacle of the nature referred to that includes two isolated compartments, one forfood which will hereinafter be referred to as a lunch compartment, and another for reception of articles usually carried in a ladys handbag which will hereinafter be referred to as a vanity compartment.

Consistent with the invention, it is an object to provide a device of the type described wherein but two access doors are required, one for each of the aforesaid compartments, the lunch compartment being subdivided into two subcompartments, a lower one for a Thermos bottle or the like and an upper one for carrying sandwiches, fruit, and other edibles. It is a feature of the invention that notwithstanding the fact that the lunch compartment is subdivided, access to both subcompartments is had by manipulation of a single closure, namely, the door to the lunch compartment.

Another feature of the invention is that the construction facilitates arranging the receptacle so that it closely resembles the conventional style. of a ladys handbag.

These objects and advantages are accomplished in the preferred construction by forming a receptacle having opposed end walls, first and second side walls, a curved bottom wall, and a curved upper wall of less radius of curvature than that of the bottom wall. There is an internal partition generally parallel to the side walls dividing the receptacle into a relatively wide lunch compartment and a relatively narrow vanity compartment, access doors being provided for each compartment.

The door for th lunch compartment is hinged at its lower edge and has extendin generally perpendicularly therefrom a partition that subdivides the lunch compartment into a lower compartment for the reception of a Thermos bottle or the like, and an upper one for: the reception of articles of food such as sandwiches, etc. When the door for the lunch compartment is opened, the partition attached thereto hinges forwardly therewith and gives access to the sandwiches and items of food supported thereupon. These articles of food are prevented from entering the Thermos bottle compartment by the subpartition and yet the door can be swung forwardly until the Thermos bottle may be readily extracted from its resting place in the lower subcompartment.

Thus, in effect, three compartments are provided which are completely isolated from one another, and which are completely closed by the manipulation of two access doors. This arrangement simplifies the use of the article, simplifies its construction, reduces the cost of manufacture as compared to prior proposals in the art, and is readily adapted to a construction which closely simulates the conventional ladys handbag.

The following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrates in detail how the aforesaid advantages and objects may be attained.

In the drawings:

Fig; 1 is a perspective view of the receptacle viewed from the lunch compartment side;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the receptacle;

Fig. 3 is a view like Fig. 1 with the door to the lunch compartment. partially open;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the other side of the receptacle with. the door to the vanity compartment open;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing one form of latch construction that may be employed to hold the doors closed; and,

Fig. 6 is a partial fragmentary section taken showing a simple hinge arrangement that may be provided for one or both of the compartment doors.

The receptacle R includes opposed end walls ID, a first side wall II which forms a wall to the vanity compartment, and. a second side wall l2 for the lunch compartment. A curved bottom I3 is provided and in a preferred form the upper wall I4 is likewise curved over a somewhat smaller radius. An internal partition l5, generally parallel to the side walls but nearer to the first side wall ll, divides the receptacle into a vanity compartment l1 and a lunch compartment l8.

The side wall II includes a door l9 which encompasses the majority of one side of the vanity compartment [1. The door is hinged to the receptacle along its lower edge as at 20 and may include flexible extensible side pieces 2| in accordance with typical ladys handbag construction. The door 23 to the lunch compartment I8 is likewise hinged along its lower edge as at 24 and is latched in its closed position by a latch.

plate 25.

In order to subdivide the lunch compartment into two subcompartments, a subpartition 26 extends integrally from a lower portion of the door 23 and is of such a width as to substantially isolate the two subcompartments. As seen in Fig. 6, a simple form of hinge construction may be formed by rabbeting the side walls III as at 28 and by forming the interlocking tongues 21 and 29 on the door and adjacent wall portions.

For purposes of utility a hand or shoulder strap 36 may be fastened by any suitable attaching means 31 in accordance with any of the various constructions used in the trade for this purse. It will be seen in Fig. 2, as indicated in dotdash lines, that a Thermos bottle T may be placed in the lower sub-compartment thereof and sandwiches and other articles of food, indicated generally at S, may rest upon the subpartition or platform 26 and are isolated therefrom. To gain access to the articles within the lunch compartment the door is opened as shown in Fig. 3. This hinges the platform 26 rearwardly with the door, but the sandwiches and similar articles of food remain positioned against the door and platform. With the hinge construction shown, the door and platform may be readily removed for unobstructed access to the Thermos bottle. However, even if the door is permanently hinged to the receptacle, it need only be opened until the free edge of platform 26 is substantially aligned with the side wall of the receptacle whereupon the Thermos may be lifted vertically to clear the partition 26 for ready removal.

The use of the vanity section will be apparent, and it also can be seen that despite the fact that three isolated compartments are provided, only two doors need be manipulated. Furthermore, it can be seen that the arrangement is readily adapted to configuration that closely resembles the usual lady's handbag which is a desirable feature from the aesthetic and psychological consideration of the user.

Having completed a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various modifications and changes therein, particularly with respect to the design of the fittings and accessories, may be made without departing from the essence of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A combined lunch box and vanity case comprising a receptacle having opposed end walls, first and second side walls, a bottom wall, and an upper wall, an internal partition in said receptacle generally parallel to said side Walls and nearer to said first side wall, dividing said receptacle into a relatively wide lunch compartment and a narrower vanity compartment, a door formed in said first side wall of said vanity compartment, a door formed in said second side wall, said last mentioned door being hinged to the wall along its lower edge and including an integral partition extending generally perpendicularly from a lower portion thereof, said door partition being generally parallel to and spaced from said bottom wall to subdivide said lunch compartment into a lower section for reception of a Thermos bottle or the like and an upper section for the reception of food.

2. A combined lunch box and vanity case comprising a receptacle having opposed end walls, first and second side walls, a bottom wall, and an upper wall, an internal partition in said receptacle generally parallel to said side walls and nearer to said first side wall, dividing said receptacle into a relatively wide lunch compartment and a narrower vanity compartment, a door formed in said first side wall of said vanity compartment, 9. door formed in said second side wall and encompassing substantially the entire length thereof, said last mentioned door being hinged to the wall along its lower edge and including an integral partition extending generally perpendicularly from a lower portion thereof, said door partition being generally parallel to and spaced from said bottom wall to subdivide said lunch compartment into a lower section for reception of a Thermos bottle or the like and an upper section for the reception of food.

3. A combined lunch box and vanity case comprising a receptacle having opposed end walls, first and second side walls, a curved bottom wall, a curved upper wall of smaller radius than said bottom wall, an internal partition in said receptacle generally parallel to said side walls and nearer to said first side wall, dividing said receptacle into a relatively wide lunch compartment, and a narrower vanity compartment, a door formed in said first side wall of said vanity compartment, a door formed in said second side wall, said last mentioned door being hinged to the Wall along its lower edge and including an integral partition extending generally perpendicularly from a lower portion thereof, said door partition being generally parallel to and spaced from said bottom wall to subdivide said lunch compartment into a lower section for reception of a Thermos bottle or the like and an upper section for the reception of food.

4. A combined lunch box and vanity case comprising a receptacle having opposed end walls, first and second side walls, a curved bottom wall, a curved upper wall of smaller radius than said bottom wall, an internal partition in said receptacle generally parallel to said side walls and nearer to said first side wall, dividing said receptacle into a relatively wide lunch compartment and a narrower vanity compartment, a door formed in said first side wall of said vanity compartment, a door formed in said second side wall and encompassing substantially the entire length thereof, said last mentioned door being hinged to the wall along its lower edge and including an integral partition extending generally perpendicularly from a lower portion thereof, said door partition being generally parallel to and spaced from said bottom wall to subdivide said lunch compartment into a lower section for reception of a Thermos bottle or the like and an upper section for the reception of food.

ROBERT E. CALLAGHAN.

N 0 references cited. 

